Bengaluru sources have stated that in a relief to
former chief minister and state JDS chief H D Kumaraswamy, the Karnataka High
Court today directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) not to arrest him
till June 20 in an illegal mining case.

Meanwhile Justice Rathnakala passed the order on an application for
anticipatory bail moved by Kumaraswamy after the special court turned down his
bail plea on Tuesday in the Janthakal mining company case.

It was stated that Kumaraswamy, son of former prime minister H D Deve
Gowda, is accused of putting immense pressure on the then commissioner of
mines, Gangaram Baderiya, to clear a file in favor of Janthakal mining
firm in 2007, when he was the chief minister.

Baderiya, now the principal secretary (revenue) was arrested by the SIT on
May 15 for allegedly allowing the firm to illegally lift one million tonnes of
mined ore in Chitradurga, based on forged documents and the SIT had
summoned Kumaraswamy, following the arrest of Baderiya. Previously Kumaraswamy
had said that he had no role in the case and would come out clean.